Labrador Metis Nation interim President Kirk Lethbridge has written provincial Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale requesting a meeting to discuss the proposed Height of Land Wind Park in the wake of the release of the province’s energy plan.

“The Labrador Metis Nation has reviewed the plan, and is encouraged by the Province’s commitment to ‘work with Aboriginal governments and groups in areas where potential wind developments are subject to an Aboriginal treaty or a land claim’,” states Mr. Lethbridge’s the letter to the Minister.The LMN Ventus Energy Inc. (Canada’s largest wind developer) announced the Height of Land Wind Park proposal on January 17, 2006. At the time, and during subsequent meetings, the government indicated that it would not discuss the proposal until after the plan was completed and released. Mr. Lethbridge says he hopes to be able to meet with the Minister, as well as with Labrador Affairs Minister John Hickey and government officials as soon as possible to discuss the energy plan and the Height of Land proposal. The meeting would also provide an opportunity to discuss other proposed developments, such as the Lower Churchill, and enable both parties to explore the possibility of formulating a protocol agreement based on mutual respect, says Mr. Lethbridge.

“It has been some 21 months since the Height of Land Wind Park was announced,” says Mr. Lethbridge. “We have been very patient since then, and it would be unfair to deny our request for a meeting until after the election.”